Rajiv Shukla assures full security for Pakistan team in Dharamshala

NEW DELHI: Senior official of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) Rajiv Shukla has assured that the Pakistan cricket team would be provided foolproof security in the much-anticipated World Twenty20 clash between Pakistan and India at Dharamshala.

Speaking to local media on Friday, Rajiv Shukla said: “We are firm that we will be hosting the match there (Dharamsala) as per schedule because there are interest of commitments which requires to be fulfilled.”

He warned that the International Cricket Council (ICC) may take ‘stern action’ against the venue if the scheduled match does not take place. “The state government is also willing to cooperate,” said Shukla.

The BCCI official added that the Pakistan cricket team would be provided foolproof security and that, in this regard, they have also spoken to Chief Minister Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who had earlier asked the Indian government to either cancel the match or move it to a different venue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened pulling out of the World Twenty20 if they did not get a clear message about the security situation from the Indian government.

Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, called for India to publicly acknowledge Pakistan’s participation in the tournament and to also promise full security to their cricket team.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister had earlier asked the BCCI to either cancel the proposed India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match slated for March 19 at Dharamsala or shift the venue to any other city.

“In case the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) still does not call off the match, the Congress protest will only intensify and the match will not be allowed at any cost,” Chief Minister Vidharba Singh was quoted as saying by an Indian newspaper.

However, dismissing the security concerns, Shukla assured that the visitors will be given foolproof security. “We will be providing foolproof security to the Pakistan cricket team. All the players will be safe. Now, it is for Pakistan cricket board to take a decision.”